It just doesn’t get anymore rags-to-riches in the poker world than Chris Moneymaker. A humble accountant from Nashville, Tennessee, this young husband and father of one, won a seat at the 2003 World Series of Poker Championship Tournament. He got there by winning a $40 online satellite tournament. Because he was unable to pay for his trip to the tournament, his father and a close friend sponsored him with the promise of sharing a portion of any winnings that Chris won. It was a good investment to say the least. Chris Moneymaker won the WSOP Championship, beating out such final table veterans as Phil Ivey and Sammy Farha and taking home $2,500,000 in winnings.

Though many people think Chris won due to luck instead of talent, he recently placed second on the World Poker Tour’s Shooting Stars episode.

Fun Facts and Finishes

• Before winning the 2003 WSOP Championship, Chris worked two jobs to make ends meet—one as an accountant and the other at a restaurant.
• Chris donated a portion of his WSOP winnings to cancer research.